Resident Hotel Gogol

For three nights, then another two after a day trip to Kolsai, the biggest hassles were carrying our own bags upstairs and having nowhere to leave them during the trip. There’s no lift, and when we asked more than once for luggage help, staff said the person responsible had finished work or wasn’t available. The reception also had no storage or cloak room space for our bags. The set breakfast had very few choices. I’m vegetarian, and each morning all I could have was porridge and a slice of cake. The rooms and bathrooms were clean, comfortable, and well looked after, and the location was convenient. It works if you travel light and don’t need much variety at breakfast, but there wasn’t much else to highlight.

The set breakfast isn’t a buffet, but there are three choices each day. The place is clean and well kept, and it’s a great spot within walking distance of Arbat Street. There’s no elevator, and my room was on the third floor.

The main problem was the water. It never got hot, only to about room temperature, maybe a little colder. Aside from that, the staff were friendly, helpful, and spoke English well. The room and bathroom looked modern and renovated, and I especially liked the Middle Eastern breakfast. They wouldn’t accept USD, so we exchanged money at a shop around the corner. The Russian woman there was very rude and wouldn’t let us count the Tenge she gave us, worth USD 900. When we started counting, she cursed at us in Russian and kicked us out. It isn’t on Google Maps, so I’m venting here. The shop with the witch is on Seyfullin Avenue near the hotel. The next time, we used the exchange on Gogol Street, one or two blocks east of the hotel, across the road.

For a clean, comfortable stay at a good price, this place fit the bill. It’s been recently renovated, and the photos match the tidy rooms and comfortable beds. Arbat Street is within walking distance. Shukhrat at reception was especially helpful and knowledgeable. He suggested a great Kazakh restrestaurant and nearby attractions.